Holy Cross was opened in 1957 by the Archdiocese of San Antonio. At the suggestion of the Brothers of Holy Cross it was established as a four-year college preparatory school for boys. The first class of 84 boys enrolled as freshmen on September 3, 1957, with a faculty of three Brothers and a chaplain. It was jointly funded by a tuition fee and a subsidy from the Archdiocese.[2] In 1968 the school faced possible closure because of the threatened withdrawal of the Archdiocese subsidy, but the financial issues were resolved, in part by adding grades 7 and 8 so that it became a middle and secondary school. Due to a lack of medical services in the area, in 1981 parents and alumni supported the establishment of Holy Cross Family Medical Center, which was expanded in 1985 and moved to a site across the street from the school, where it remains in operation.[3]
In 1994 the school was incorporated as an independent Catholic school with a board of governors. In 2001 ownership was transferred to Holy Cross Community Services, a non-profit which also owned the medical center.[4] Fundraising remained an issue to keep tuition as low as possible.[5]
In 2002 the last Catholic high school for girls in the area closed. During the following decade the school gradually transitioned to a coeducational student body, becoming fully coed in 2009.[6] The school's trustee, Brother Stanley Culotta, has been managing the school for almost 60 years as of 2017.[7]
Christian service is an integral part of a Holy Cross education. Because of the importance of Christian service, Holy Cross students are required to serve the community through charitable acts as a requirement for graduation.
Traditions
The Holy Cross annual alumni softball tournament happens each year on Memorial Day weekend. The double-elimination two-day tournament sets teams by individual graduating classes, with an older division and a younger division.[8]
In addition to the softball tournament, The alumni basketball tournament is held every year at the end of June in honor of Daniel Gutierrez a graduate of Holy Cross who lost his long battle with Cancer in 2006. Proceeds from this event go to a Scholarship in his name.
Holy Cross is a historically All-Boys institution therefore The Alumni softball tournament, The alumni basketball tournament and the alumni soccer tournament are largely competed in by male graduates.[9]
^Flores, Matt (May 28, 2001). "On the ball forever Alumni of Holy Cross High School have an annual tradition of friendship, good-natured competition". San Antonio Express-News.
^Robbins, Maro (July 3, 2005). "Judge's actions speak louder than words". San Antonio Express-News (Metro ed.). p. 01A. He attended Christ the King Catholic School, Holy Cross of San Antonio and the University of Notre Dame.
^"On The Scene". San Antonio Express-News (Metro ed.). April 18, 2000. p. 8D. Alumnus Stan Kelly (left) joins Edith McAllister and Holy Cross High School Alumni Association president
^"New nominations in hand". San Antonio Express-News (Metro ed.). July 19, 1998. p. 5C. Roger Metzger - Holy Cross H.S., Houston Astros baseball